Flash Movie Review: Deepwater Horizon

Along with the saying, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” the same could be said for worth. Let us say you have a person who donates a kidney to save another person; how could you put a price on the kidney? To the person getting it I would think they are getting a priceless gift. Let me go to the other extreme and tell you I have seen situations where I had to wonder what type of value the perpetrator was offering to society. I could give some examples but all of them are ugly to talk about here. During the real estate boom houses were skyrocketing in price, but they were only worth that price if someone was willing to pay it. Value/worth I find is a subjective process. The thing I would like to know is when did the worth of human beings decrease in value. Before it became an issue, I remember watching players on a sports team continue playing even though they had incurred an injury. Growing up I rarely heard about someone getting a concussion. Being involved with companies from around the world for my job, I stay aware of any reported safety abuses of employees that could affect the company’s balance sheet. This is my thinking only but I feel due to society becoming more of a disposable one, along with the need to have immediate gratification, companies had to adjust their thinking. Businesses need to find the fastest way to bring a product to market and make sure it is still a profitable venture. This drive for profits and quickness can lead a company to look at how they could cut down on their expenses to make more money. I think most of us were aware of this film’s story about the worst United States oil disaster to ever take place. What you might not know is how the spill came about; see for yourself what took place in this action film. BASED on true events the floating oil platform Deepwater Horizon was on the verge of striking black gold a/k/a oil. What the owners would soon find out is sooner is not always better. Starring Mark Wahlberg (Daddy’s Home, Lone Survivor) as Mike Williams, Kurt Russell (The Art of the Steal, The Hateful Eight) as Jimmy Harrell, John Malkovich (Burn After Reading, Empire of the Sun) as Vidrine and Gina Rodriguez (Filly Brown, Jane the Virgin-TV) as Andrea Fleytas; this dramatic thriller needed a short time before kicking into gear. Action was the number one feature of this picture and I have to tell you it was intense through and through. I felt I was on an amusement park ride as the scenes flowed and ebbed from drama to action. There were some cheesy scenes in the script along with some lines that were sappy; but the underwater scenes, explosions and building fear factor rode over everything to make this an exciting movie watching experience for me. I do not know how much was true in the movie but the bottom line (do you like that business reference?) for me was a feeling of shame and horror on how little the human factor played into the business model for a potential successful business venture.

3 stars

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About moviejoltz

From a long line of movie afficionados, one brother was the #1 renter of movies in the country with Blockbuster, I am following in the same traditions that came before me. To balance out the long hours seated in dark movie theaters, I also teach yoga and cycling. For the past 3 years, I have correctly picked the major Oscar winners... so join me as we explore the wonder of movies and search for that perfect 4 star movie.

From my point of view, so much of what you say in the preamble also has to do with risk management. It is amazing to me that many companies do risk management then ignore or minimize the analyses and take on significant risks anyway. If the risky strategy pays out, the companies are happy – and emboldened. If it doesn’t, Deepwater Horizon, Fukushima, PG&E – the list goes on but this is a comment. Nice review, as always.

Great review, I’m anxious to recommend it to my husband who seldom wants to go to the movies as he’s hard to please as is always quick to “solve” it two minutes in. I don’t know if you know this but you didn’t mention Kate Hudson, (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Fool’s Gold, Raising Helen) who happens to be Kurt Russell’s step-daughter. I believe this is the first project they’ve done together. (I could be wrong on that.)
I have often seen companies for the sake of the all mighty dollar, do some questionable things. I feel that overall we’ve become a totally disposable society and as much as I love movies, perception of values is constantly depicted. In the old days, the bad guy never won. Today, he can and although it’s true, they do, it somehow encourages it and makes the anti-hero larger than life and emulate-able.

Thank you for your comments and I do hope your husband joins you for this film. I did not mention Kate because she did not make a strong impression with me compared to the other actors, plus I still wanted to keep the review short in length. I did not know this was the first time Kate and Kurt acted in the same film. Thank you for mentioning it.

You bring up such a good point about the bad guy now is celebrated. What kind of message are we giving to the younger generations?

I loved this movie and am familiar with the subject, and knew what happened in 2010. I went with my 16 year old grandson and his friend. It was hard for them to realize what was going on and I’m sure they didn’t understand all of it. But it was very intense and I felt worn out after watching it. British Petroleum was indeed negligent and I’m glad this was brought to the public.